Porto de Galinhas isn’t only popular in high season, but in every single weekend of the year. The most famous beach of the southern coast of Pernambuco has 4 km long and it’s very impressive by the contrast between the greenish-blue waters and coral reefs. The natural pools, where at low tide you can see fish of various species, are also an attraction.

To reach the swimming pools (walk inside or using a raft) we must observe the times of the tides: if early morning, on foot, you must return before the tide rising, or you have to swim back to the shore.

Porto de Galinhas has broad infrastructure of bars, restaurants, hotels and inns, plus the center of the city offers many shops, handicrafts stores and fashion stores beach.

Located in the municipality of Ipojuca, approximately 53 km from Recife, Porto de Galinhas is a major tourist centres of the southern coast Pernambuco. They are 18 km of coconut trees and baobás, pools of clear water and warm formed from coral, mangroves and estuaries.

The Beach of Porto de Galinhas is right in front of the town with a variety of restaurants, bars and cafes where you can choose what you want: seafood, Japanese sushi, Italian food or dishes prepared with bunches of fruit and roots of region.

The chicken on top of the coconut palm is the symbol of the city. On the left, starts to Praia do Cupe, the scenario chosen by the majority of inns and hotels. In the other direction appears Maracaípe, redoubt of surfers, where every year is the Brazilian Circuit of Surf. Take a leap also by Wall High, where access is through dune buggys. It is one of those divine places: a large natural pool, with 3 km long, white sand, and water totally transparent. In the High Wall calm waters are protected by a wall of coral and filled with coconut trees. The most diverse species of colorful fish are found: xiras, caraúnas and saberês.

Some countries are eligible to go to Brazil without the necessity to get a VISA. For the countries which aren’t part of this group check out the requirements to get a VISA to Brazil.

• If you are not an American or Canadian citizen, check if you need a VISA to enter Brazil for tourism purposes.
• Identify your consular jurisdiction, determined by your place of residence, and always check with your consulate for specific information about hours of operation, processing time, and payment methods.
• APPLICATIONS BY MAIL WILL BE ACCEPTED ONLY FOR RESIDENTS WITHIN the appropriate CONSULAR JURISDICTION.
• The consulates in New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco, DO NOT ACCEPT APPLICATIONS BY MAIL.
• APPLICATIONS from outside of your jurisdiction area will only be accepted if submitted in person.

GENERAL TOURIST VISA INFORMATION

YOU MUST CONTACT THE CONSULATE OF YOUR JURISICTION

Requirements for TOURIST visas:

• A passport valid for at least six months beyond the applicant’s intended period of stay in Brazil.
• One passport-sized photograph (2″ x 2″)
• A photocopy of the round trip ticket or itinerary
• A duly filled out and signed visa application form. Download a Visa Application form at http://www.brasilemb.org/consulado/consular_forms.shtml
• For American citizens the fee is U$130.00. For citizens of Canada the fee is U$65.00. For citizens of other countries, please check at http://www.brasilemb.org/consulado/consular_table_fee.shtml
• A non-refundable handling fee of US$10.00 per visa applies to visa applications submitted by mail or by any individual other than the applicant or an immediate member of his or her family (NOTE: New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco do not accept applications by mail).

If your consulate does not accept applications by mail (New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco), applicants unable to apply in person MUST use a visa service agency. Please visit the website for the consulate in your jurisdiction for a list of visa service agencies.

Visa processing times for applications vary. Processing time may take one to ten business days for applications received in person. The consulates that accept applications by mail usually require 7 to 10 business days (NOT including transit times) to process visas. Check with the consulate where you will be applying for their current processing times.

If you are applying by mail do not forget to include a prepaid, self-addressed/ stamped return envelope with the application so that the consulate can mail it back to you (ONLY USPS ENVELOPES WILL BE ACCEPTED). The Brazilian Tourism Office recommends the use of USPS registered or certified mail or the use of USPS priority or express mail. Do not forget to keep the tracking or registration number for your records in case you need to locate the envelope.